CLUCK (Citizens Lobbying for Urban Chicken Keeping) is a group working in support of backyard hens in Sarasota.
We've had success in the city and are turning our efforts to the County.
Write to volunteer, show support or ask questions at
sarasotacluck@gmail.com
And check out our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=118190386787&ref=ts
All we are saying is: Give Peeps A Chance.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Backyard Chicken Disease Risk in Perspective

A concerned citizen recently wrote to a Sarasota City Commissioner opposing chickens as pets and citing six diseases that might be transmitted from chickens to humans as a reason.

Certainly all citizens should be concerned about the possible transfer of diseases from pets, livestock and wild animals to humans. Awareness has been growing regarding the importance of hand-washing after contact with any animal, including animals such as reptiles and fish.

The diseases cited in the email were:

Avian Tuberculosis:A tuberculosis that affects poultry. Main risk is to immune compromised individuals. According to the International Parrot Society People with normally functioning immune systems have a high resistance to this infection. The bacteria are already in the environment due to shedding from wildlife. However, we do urge at risk individuals to take proper precautions and avoid contact or exposure.

Chlamydiosiscauses pitt or parrot fever. According to IFAS In the U.S., chlamydiosis is a major problem with turkeys, pigeons, and psittacines. In Europe, the main avian species affected are ducks and geese. Some birds (turkeys) are extremely susceptible to chlamydiosis, while others (chickens) are more resistant.

Colibacillosis is caused by E. coli, of which there are many strains. According to IFAS: In most cases, symptomatic treatment (fluids, antidiarrheals) is all that is required. In more severe infections, antibiotics such as tetracycline and chloramphenicol may be necessary.

Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease. According to IFAS Most cases in humans are asymptomatic, but it can be a serious disease.

Cryptococcosis is another fungal disease. Again In people with a normal immune system, the lung (pulmonary) form of the infection may have no symptoms. In people with impaired immune systems, the cryptococcus organism may spread to the brain.

Cryptosporidiosis according to IFAS Cryptosporidiosis is caused by protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium . There are three known species, C. baileyi , C. meleagridis and an unnamed species in quail. Cryptosporidiosis normally causes respiratory problems in chickens and turkeys. It can also cause gastroenteritis and diarrhea. In humans, it causes abdominal pain, nausea, and watery diarrhea lasting 3-4 days. In immunocompromised people, it can cause severe, persistent diarrhea with associated malabsorption of nutrients and weight loss.

In addition to the diseases the citizen mentioned , Salmonella is probably the most common disease spread by pets like chickens, reptiles and fish. The CDC is particularly cautious about children under three handling (playing with) baby chicks.

For dogs, far more diseases are listed : 15 and for cats: 14. Because dogs and cats are mammals, and probably because of their long association with people, we share more diseases with them.

Bottom line: If we were allowing people to have pets based on diseases, cats and dogs would be near the end of the list. But that doesn’t eliminate possible problems with chickens.

CLUCK supports proper sanitation for the health of both chickens and chicken keepers. Young children and people with compromised immune systems are the greatest at risk. Handwashing after contact with all animals is recommended for everyone and people at greater risk should probably consider respiratory masks. At the end of this entry you'll find the 12 steps the CDC recommends to minimize risk. Virtually all are simple common sense and hygiene.